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Food systems

Farmers and others in Wisconsin’s food industry who want to grow their local markets are encouraged to apply for 2018 grants available through the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grant program. Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), the grants can help farms and business more efficiently process, market and distribute […]

Veggie lovers of all stripes will converge on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus to celebrate tasty, local vegetables at the fourth annual Farm to Flavor dinner on Sept. 26. During the event, which runs 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Discovery Building, participants will have the opportunity to sample chef-designed dishes showcasing top vegetable varieties identified through […]

A new resource is available on legal information for farmers’ markets. It covers business structures, liability risks, and more. A useful resource for farmers markets of all sizes and stages of growth and applicable to farmers’ markets in any state. Check it out at Farmers Market Legal Toolkit.

UW Center for Cooperatives, in partnership with Farm Commons, has released a new publication: Coordinating Farm Labor Across Farms: A Toolbox for Diversified Farmers and Farmworkers. Sustainable farmers often seek more flexible options for meeting their diverse and fluctuating farm labor needs. Farm workers also struggle to piece together stable and rewarding employment opportunities. This […]

Farmers markets provide many social, economic, and ecological benefits to farmers and communities. They support local producers, foster community engagement, and have a positive ripple effect on their local economies. However, many markets are seeing increased competition with a growing number of local food outlets: community supported agriculture box shares, grocery stores, online marketplaces, and […]

Report released from the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future New Analysis of Government Plans Addressing Food Waste Highlights Progress, Best Practices Executive summary | Full report | Map Local and national governments in more than 20 countries around the world are taking action to reduce the waste of food, according to a new […]

A research project evaluating the food environment in the village of Marshall, Wisconsin has led to the development of the Marshall Food Access Brief describing food access resources and opportunities for the village. The research was performed by two Area Health Education Center interns, Ummu Drammeh and Cynthia Venters, and supervised by Carrie Edgar, Community Food Systems Educator […]

Lexa Dundore, Food Systems Assistant with Dane County UW-Extension and recent Urban and Regional Planning graduate, has developed a facilitation guide and food system racial equity assessment tool for groups and organizations to look carefully at their planning and how their decision-making processes can advance racial equity in the food system. Racial inequities in the food system […]

In an effort to promote economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and the public health and safety of Dane County residents, the County is piloting an Organic Conversion Incentive Program. The Organic Conversion Incentive Program is designed to provide an incentive for farmers to convert to certified organic practices. Dane County will grant $250 each year for […]

Farmers’ markets can become licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture to accept federal food benefits (SNAP; known as FoodShare in WI). In order to accept FoodShare, farmers’ markets need to have terminals that can process electronics benefits transfer (EBT) information, which allows for the process of government benefits to the authorized retailer. Information, […]

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Civil Rights Statement

University of Wisconsin, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties cooperating. An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.